Elastic-fluid turbine.



No. 762,368. PATENTED JUNE 14', 1904.

L. WILSON) ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30. I904.

N0 MODEL.

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L. WILSON.

ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE. APPLIOATIOII IInnn un. 30, 1904.

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L. WILSON. ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE. APPLICATION FILED 1511.30. 1904.

PATENTED JUNE 14, 1904 cum rnsm co. FHOTO-LITHQ, m ammo n c No. 762,368.PATENTED JUNE 14,1904.

L. WILSON.

ELASTIC FLUID TURBINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 30, 1904. N0 MODEL.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

591 WITNE6$ Es INN'EN 'T'O F? Patented June 14, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

LlDA \VILSON, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,368, dated June 14,1904. Application filed January 30,1904. Serial No. 191,340. (No model.)

To all 1071/0771 it may concern:

Be it known that I, LIDA WILsoN, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, whose present address is WVest Regent street,-Glasgow,Scotland, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inElastic-Flu id Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

, reversible, this is effected by constructing the respective series ofblades concentrically in sets surrounding each other, one concentric setto drive the turbine forward and the other concentric set to drive itbackward, the nozzles and blades being arranged in each respective setat suitable angles to the desired direction of m'otionto effect this..At the end of each respective concentric set of blades next the exhaustthe last of the series of blades of each such respective set or a diskwith outlets through it should be stationary and of suflicient strength,reinforced by suitable stays, as to be capable of sustaining the thrustof valves arranged to close its outlets, and thereby prevent motivefluid from traversing endwise through the particular set of bladesdesired to be rendered temporarily inoperative.

It is convenient to have several separate annular concentricmotive-fluid-supply chambers each having its appropriate inlets andnozzlesset at suitable angles, and the blades in the several concentricsets, placed at suitable angles to each other radially in the samewheel, are conveniently separated by an annular plate or ring betweenthe respective sets of concentric blades to strengthen them, but not toclose the radial clearance-spaces between the respective iixed andmoving blades (in multiple impact-turbines) of the various concentricsets, through which the liquid of condensation is thrown centrifugallyto the casing and troughs from the various concentric sets of blades.The valves at the exhaust ends of each concentric set of blades areseparately adjustable to close either concentric set desired, andthereby prevent the motive fluid from traversing from end to end throughit, so that while each set of blades may be full'of motive fluid themotive fluid has no endwise motion through the particular concentric setof blades temporarily closed by said valves and is therefore inoperativeto.

drive it while so closed.

Aturbine may therefore be constructed capable of being reversed composedof sets of concentric radial blades arranged and combined one within theother in one casing and driving the same shaft, the reverse motion beingobtained by the opposite angles at which the blades and nozzles arerespectively arranged in and for each of the concentric radial sets andby the consequently opposite impact effect of the motive fluid in eachset as it passes endwise through it. A similar concentric constructionis adaptable for alternatively using either of the concentric sets ofblades or all the sets of blades for rotation in the one direction ifthe nozzles and the blades of each concentric set are set to similarangles as regards the direction of rotation.

The invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1is an end elevation of the turbine with the parts broken away wherehatched into sections at various planes. Fig. 2 is a side elevation insection at the center line where hatched. Fig. 3 is an elevation of theexhaust end of the turbine, partly with outside cover broken away. Fig.4 is also an elevation of the exhaust end of the turbine with modifiedarrangement for controlling the exhaust-valve spindles simultaneously.Fig. 5is asection on lineX Yin Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a side view, and Fig. 7an end view, of the rotatable valve in section where hatched. Fig. 8 isa section of the trough attached to the shell in the chamberssurrounding the moving wheels, and Fig. 9 illustrates the trough cut outof the fixed rings between said wheels. Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are upona large scale.

A designates the bed-plate, and B the pedthe chamber Gr are designated0.

cstals for the shaft B, carrying the turbinedrum D. The drum D hasattached to it a series of wheels having radial impact-blades c e,rotated within the casing formed of the shell E and heads F and M. Thehead F has an outer annular motive-fluid chamber G,supplied by pipes G,and an inner chamber G, supplied by pipes G The exhaust-head M has achamber M with discharge-pipe H. Nozzles, as shown at a in Fig. 5,extend from the chambers G and Gr nearly to the first respectiveimpact-blades, the nozzles a being set at the angle suitable to drivethe turbine as desired. The blades opposite the chamber G are designated0, and the blades opposite The spaces a between the blades form channelsthrough which the motive fluid passes from one side of the blades to theother and which direct it backwardly from the issuing side. The wheelsare spaced apart upon the shell of the drum sufliciently to admitintermediate flat rings F, which are attached to the casing E and areformed with blades f f adjacent to the blades 0 c, the faces of theblades f being opposed reversely to the faces of the blades (1, so as toreceive the backward current of motive fluid and discharge it againforwardly upon the blades of the succeeding wheel. The nozzles a,leading from the motive-fluidsupply chambers G and G at suitableintervals are tapered in cross-section and are suitably inclined fromthe chambers G and G to their outlets, so as to deliver the motive fluidin the direction of desired rotation upon the blades 0 and 0,respectively. Spaces may be provided between the wheels and the casingto form chambers I between the adjacent flat rings F. Clearance-spacesg, Fig. 5, are formed between the said rings and wheels to permit thecentrifugal escape of liquid which may be condensed between the blades,and annular troughs [L are attached to the casing within the chamber 1or may be cut out of the said flat rings to receive the liquid which isdischarged from the wheels and prevent it from falling back upon thewheels as patented to me in the United States under No. 733,105 on July7,1903.

The chambers 1 and the troughs therein between the flat rings F or thetroughs cut out of the said flat rings F serve to lead the liquid to thelowest point of the casing or of the troughs, whence dischargc-pipes zlconduct the liquid to traps 7' of any suitableconstruction.

Seven of the series of moving wheels and fixed rings F are shown, forexample, upon the drum in Fig. 2; but there may be many more, and themotive fluid is therefore expanded repeatedly in passing from one wheelto another through the blades of the station ary rings F. The rings Fextend from the outer casing or shell inwardly close to but not incontact with the shell of the drum D or to the hubs of the movingwheels, and thus divide the interior of the easing into separatechambers, each of which is trapped separately by the constructiondescribed, so that condensed liquid is not only discharged from thebottom without permitting gas to escape, but communication between thechambers I surrounding the several moving wheels is prevented. The flatrings F thus form partitions which prevent the motive fluid in one ofthese chambers I from communicating with the motive fluid in any of theother chambers I, and a reduction of pressure therefore takes place bythe expansion of the motive fluid in passing through the blades 6 and 0between the fixed blades or deflectors.

The last of the series of wheels and rings in my reversing turbineshould be a stationary one, or a special stationary disk M is provided,having outlet passages to the exhaustchamber M, the said outlets beingcontrolled by suitable valves L and L.

The head M contains an exhaust-chamber M, situated beyond the saidstationary disk M into which the exhaust is delivered and is dischargedtherefrom by any suitable outlet, as the pipe H. Fig. 5 shows several ofthe nozzles at having enlarged inlets from the chamber Gr taperingtoward their outlets next the blades, the inclination of the nozzletoward the blades forminga sharp corner at one side of the nozzlesoutlet, and a valve-plug 0 is fitted in the nozzles.

The valve 0 illustrated is in cross-section a sector of a circle and isfitted to a sectoral groove, so as to lie flush with one side of thenozzle when full opening of the outlet of the latter is desired. Thevalve is so located that when its edge nearest to the blades is turnedacross the outlet of the nozzle, as'shown in Fig. 5, it moves toward thesharp corner at the opposite side of the nozzle-outlet, and thuscontracts the area of the said outlet directly adjacent to thedelivery-point where the motive fluid is discharged upon the blades 0 ora. The nozzle-valves may also be formed with throughway for the passageof the motive fluid. This construction is adopted to prevent theexpansion and consequent loss of pressure in the motive fluid whenthrottled at a distance from the blades before it is discharged upon thefirst rotating wheel, and this effect is produced by employing therotating valves and locating them directly adjacent to the outlet of thenozzle, where they may operate at the actual delivery-point of themotive fluid upon the first series of rotating blades. The stems c ofthe valves are of cylindrical form and are extended radially outwardthrough the casing or shell, which is provided with stufling-boxes forthe stems to pass through. Beyond the stuffing-boxes a toothed pinion Jis applied to each of the stems and meshes with an annular gear K, heldupon the casing by lugs K. These pinions can be arranged to slide on thestems in and out of mesh with the gearK, so as to permit such of thevalves to be turned thereby as may be desired. The gear-ring K isshownfitted upon a circular seat upon the left-hand end of the shell E,upon which it may be moved to turn the pinions in the following manner:A bracket Zis attached to the shell E and supports a shaft m and worm a,which meshes with a section of teeth .upon the periphery of the gearringK.

A hand-wheel it upon the shaft on enables the operator to turn thegear-ring K and adjust the valves 0 within the nozzles either singly,several at once, or all simultaneously, according to the number ofvalve-stem pinions actually in mesh with the gear-ring K.

The heads M and F are shown provided with lute-joints, applied totheshaft B where it passes through the heads, composed of rings and groovesp, which are supplied with water under pressure by a pipe and through anannular chamber g which water is delivered from the chamber between therings and grooves by suitable passages, so as to lubricate the adjacentmoving parts. Such a packing of luted rings and grooves may be appliedbetween any of the moving and stationary partsas, for instance, theinner edges of the rings F and the adjacent surface of the drum D or ofthe hubs of the moving wheelsor between the adjacent faces of the ringsand moving wheels.

The rotating blades carried by the drum D are formed between a hub andfelly, permitting each wheel to be made of cast metal or of wroughtmetal or steel, all cast or-electrically welded together into one pieceand bored to fit upon the drum D and secured thereto by any suflicientmeans. The parts are secured by a tire or clamping-band, as alreadypatented tome in the United States under No. 733,105.

In the exhaust-chamber M of the head M the valves L and L, applied tothe exhaustoutlets of the disk M are guided by studs N.

Screws p are provided engaging into tapped sockets on the valves to moveeach of the valves to and from the exhaust-outlet which it covers. Thespindles of the screws extend through stuifing-boxes upon the cover orhead M and are provided with hand-wheels P. Each spindle may befurnished with a toothed pinion 0, and all the pinions of each set ofspindles are connected in this case by a ring-gear q, suitablysupported, gearing into all the spindles operating one valve or the setof valves controlling the exhaust of one set of concentric blades. Theturning of any of the hand-wheels P of either set of spindles thenoperates the ring gear of that set and turns all the screws of thespindles of that set simultaneously, so as to move the valves of thatset as desired.

Alternatively, I may arrange that the exhaust-valve spindles P, Fig. 4:,shall be operated simultaneously, but in opposite directions as regardseach set of spindles controlling the exhaust outlet or outlets of eachof the respective sets of concentric blades. This 7 The turning by handof any one sprocket-chain O in either direction, as desired.

By either of the aforesaid methods of control of the exhaust-aperturesof the respective concentric sets of rotatable blades the motive fluidmay be allowed to pass endwise only through that set of blades fromwhich the exhaust-outlets are open, and if the blades,defleeting-surfaces, and the nozzles from the supply-chambers to therotatable blades for each concentric set are arranged in oppositedirections to those for the other set as regards the direction ofrotation the turbine may be thus reversed.

As it is usual that the power required for reverse rotation is less thanfor direct driving, it will be convenient that the inner set ofconcentric blades, having less turning moment upon the shaft, are usedfor reversing, while the outer set are used for direct rotation.

When it is desired that the several sets of concentric blades shall eachbe capable in a reversing turbine of exerting equal power one withanother, the inner concentric sets of blades should be made longerradially than the outer concentric sets of blades, so as to presentsufiiciently greater blade area to the impacts of the motive fluid, soas to make up for their less number and less leverage on the shaft,owing to their inner concentric position,-and consequently greaterproximity to the shaft. The inlet-nozzles should be correspondinglyproportioned.

Instead of arranging the blades 0 and f and their corresponding nozzlesin a reverse direction to the blades 0 and f and their cor respondingnozzles they may all be set in the same relative direction, and themotive fluid would then operate upon the blades 0 and f (the same asupon the blades 0 and f) to retate the turbine-shaft forwardly, and thusgive means for the increase or the reduction of the power of the turbinein one direction of rotation. Figs. 1 and 2 would represent thisconstruction as fully as it represents the reversible turbine, it beingunderstood that the blades 0 and f and their nozzles can in constructingthe turbine be set in either direction as may be required to make theturbine reversible or to vary its power in one direction of rotation.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent,

1. The combination with an elastic-fluid turbine having concentricpassages for the axial movement of the motive fluid through the turbine,and multiple sets of radial rotatable blades to drive the shaft passingthrough both passages, of means applied to the exhaustexits adapted toretain the motive fluid at initial pressure and temperature in either ofthe concentric passages as and when desired.

2. In combination, in an elastic-fluid turbine,

concentric passages for the axial movement of the motive fluid throughthe said passages; radial plates on a central shaft common to bothpassages and carrying the several concentric sets of blades arranged atrespectively reverse angles relatively to the direction of rotation; achamber with nozzles leading to the blades, arranged respectively ineach concentric set at reverse angles to those in the other concentricset relatively to the direction of rotation; and screw-down valvesfitted to the exhaustexits to retain the motive fluid at initialpressure and temperature in either of the concentric passages, as andwhen desired.

8. In combination in an elastic-fluid turbine; concentric sets ofrotatable blades to drive the shaft, the several sets being arranged atrespectively reverse angles relatively to the direction of rotation;supply-chambers for the motive fluid each having its separate inlet andadapted to serve one concentric set of blades only; nozzles from each ofthe said supplychambers to the blades, set respectively at re verseangles to those leading from the other supply-chambers relatively to thedirection of rotation; control-valves in such nozzles; and means toprevent the exhaust fluid from passing out of either set of concentricblades, as and when desired.

4:. In combination, in an elastic-fluid turbine, concentric sets ofrotatable blades to drive the shaft; supply-chain bers and nozzlestherefrom to convey the motive fluid to the various concentric sets ofblades; an exhaust-chamber having distinct apertures from each set ofconcentric blades for entry thereto of the exhaust; and valves adaptedto such apertures to prevent the exhaust fluid from passing out ofeither set of concentric blades, as and when desired.

5. In combination in an elastic-fluid turbine, concentric sets ofrotatable blades to drive the shaft; sup ply-chambers and nozzlestherefrom to convey the motive fluid to the various concentric sets ofblades; an exhaust-chamber having distinct apertures from each set ofconcentric blades for entry thereto of the exhaust; valves adapted tosuch apertures; and means for connecting the spindles of eachconcentrically-arranged set of valves so that each such set of valvesmay be operated simultaneously.

6. In combination in an elastic-fluid turbine, concentric sets ofrotatable blades to drive the shaft; supply-chambers and nozzlestherefrom to convey the motive fluid to the various concentric sets ofblades; an exhaust-chamber having distinct apertures thereto from eachset of concentric blades; valves adapted to such apertures; and meansfor connecting all the spindles of all the sets ofconcentrically-arranged valves, so that all the valves in all the setsmay be operated simultaneously, but in reverse directions.

7. In combination in an elastic-fluid turbine, concentric sets ofrotatable blades to drive the shaft; supply-chambers and nozzlestherefrom to convey the motive fluid to the various concentric sets ofblades; an exhaust-chamber having distinct apertures thereto from eachset of concentric blades; valves adapted to such apertures;sprocket-wheels on the valve-spindles; and an endless link chainthreaded about the val ve-spindles of each set of concentric valvesalternately, and engaging with the sprocket-wheels on thevalve-spindles.

8. In combination in an elastic-fluid turbine, concentric passages forthe axial movement of the motive fluid through the turbine; multiplesets of rotatable radial blades to drive the shaft, passing through bothof the said passages; reversed troughs arranged peripherally in thecompartments surrounding the rotatable blades; and exit-pipes from saidcompartments leading to steam-traps to remove the condensed liquid fromthe inside of the turbine as and when formed.

9. The combination with an elastic-fluid t'urbine having diversepassages or chambers for the reversal of the driven shaft by the passageof the motive fluid therethrough,of valves applied to the exhaust-exitsof each of such passages, adapted to retain therein the motive fluid atinitial pressure and temperature, as and when desired.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twoWitnesses.

LIDA WILSON.

\Vitnesses:

JNo. M. FADZEAN, Rom. THOMSON.

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